Pretoria - Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has welcomed the agreement reached by Impala Platinum Mine and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) following a two-year impasse between the two parties.
The Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on Thursday, will see workers who had been asked to leave work during strikes in the platinum sector in Rustenburg in 2012 return to work. Workers left work because of safety concerns.
"We are encouraged that the parties were able to find each other after what has been over two years of challenging negotiations between them.
"This agreement serves as testament to the value of continuous engagement in the interest of all concerned and contributes to further stability in that area, in line with the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry," Minister Zwane said.
He thanked all the parties involved in reaching this milestone - including the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, the South African Police Service, Department of Mineral Resources, NUM and Impala Platinum Mine. – SAnews.gov.za
